I think Reller is right, but the problem is Microsoft is trying too hard to bring us the future today, and technology hasn't caught up with an ambitious product like the Surface Pro. The Surface Pro had the potential to be as disruptive to desktop computing as the iPhone was to mobile phones, but in order to get it out the door within a reasonable period of time following the Windows 8 launch last fall, Microsoft had to fudge key features that people really care about such as battery life.

The good news is Microsoft and its third-party hardware partners aren't giving up. I've seen a slew of Windows 8 devices that are coming out soon, and they come in just about every configuration imaginable. A lot of them provide similar benefits as the Surface Pro, but are lighter, thinner, and cost a lot less. Keep your eye out.

Ideally, Microsoft would've waited until the Surface Pro and Windows 8 were perfect before launching, but it couldn't afford to. Apple and Google have been eating Microsoft's lunch in the mobile space, and Microsoft was forced to act quickly and ambitiously.

I have no doubt the Surface line will begin to improve over time, and I'm sure Microsoft will have fixed many of the common complaints when the Surface Pro 2 (or whatever they end up calling it) launches.